Jazz student and DICOP (Digital Community of Practice) staff member Octavian Taborsky has won the Ruud Bos Challenge at the Conservatorium Talent Award 2026 in ’s-Hertogenbosch. He received the award for his arrangement The Goat, performed by the Paradox Jazz Orchestra.
"This prize means a great deal to me because it is an insane opportunity and honour to receive it, while at the same time it is a reassurance that I’m on the right path with my musical career. My first reaction was shock and excitement and it still is ongoing, it still feels like a dream." - Taborsky
The Conservatorium Talent Award brings together promising students from Dutch conservatoires each year. The competition focuses on artistic individuality, composition and ensemble performance. The Ruud Bos Challenge specifically highlights arranging and orchestration.
Taborsky impressed the jury with a distinctive musical vision, strong orchestration and an energetic approach to the ensemble. His winning piece was performed by the Paradox Jazz Orchestra, conducted by saxophonist and bandleader Jasper Staps.
"It started with something that Darcy James Argue said when talking about arranging other people’s music: “a successful arrangement belongs in the repertoire of the composer rather than the one of the arranger.” Having this in mind, when Teddy (Sicking) sent me her composition, I thought about multiple ways to highlight her as a soloist in the piece while staying in the realm of her own style."
The award highlights Taborsky’s development as both a creator and performer, and his growing position within the new generation of jazz musicians. As a student at Conservatorium Maastricht and an active member of DICOP, he works at the intersection of performance, composition and interdisciplinary practice.
The winners of the Conservatorium Talent Award are offered the opportunity to continue their development through a residency programme with professional guidance, supporting an important next step towards their professional careers.
We congratulate Octavian with this achievement and we wish him the best of luck in his musical career!
